First Steps in Filing an Appeal in Michigan

If you or a loved one has been convicted of a criminal charge in Michigan, it isn’t too late to fight for a better case result. After a motion for a new hearing is denied, you can contact an experienced Michigan criminal appeals lawyer who can help you through the post-conviction stages of your case. Appeals are extremely difficult to win, but working with a skilled attorney will help you do everything you can to get you or your family member out of prison. Our attorneys have extensive experience working for clients statewide in appellate cases, and understand the criminal appeals process. Founding attorney Scott Grabel has worked in the Pre-Hearing division of the Michigan Court of Appeals, and can provide you with unrivaled knowledge in your criminal appeals case.

When you appeal a court decision, you are requesting that a higher court review and change the decision of the initial court. In a Michigan criminal appeal case, the “appellant” requests that the higher court alter the case outcome, and the “appellee” responds. It is crucial to hire an experienced appellate lawyer if you or a loved one has been convicted of a crime, and Grabel & Associates will prepare a compelling case in efforts to help you achieve a better result. Criminal appeals are extremely complex, and hiring a talented attorney is always the best initial step to take in a Michigan appeals case.

File an Appeal in Michigan After a Criminal Conviction

The first step in filing a criminal appeal is contacting a Michigan appellate attorney who can guide you through the complex legal issues you will face. You must then determine the type of appeal that must be filed. In the state of Michigan, there are two distinct types of criminal appeals: appeals of right and appeals by leave. An appeal by right doesn’t require the permission of the court you are appealing to before it is filed, and must be filed within 21 days of either the entry of the judgment or the entry of an order denying a new trial, retrial, or other post-conviction relief. An appeal by leave, or appeal by application for leave, is filed when an appellant requests a review of certain details, facts, or laws affecting an initial decision. In order to file an appeal by leave, the higher court must give the appellant permission. In Michigan, the circuit court has final say on accepting any appeal by leave.

If the final order has not yet been entered in your case, if your period to appeal the decision has passed, if a defendant has plead guilty and is appealing a legal issue that is not his or her sentence, or if appeal of right is not available in the case at hand, you can work with an attorney to file an appeal by application for leave. Our Michigan criminal appeals firm will help you determine how to appeal your case, and will direct you through the necessary appellate procedures.

Appeal to Michigan Court Post-Conviction

After you have hired an attorney, you will need to file a Claim of Appeal to the proper court of appeal, as well as the trial court. There are numerous documents and fees that need to be properly submitted within a specified time period, and working with an attorney will help you ensure you have everything you need to request a review of your case. Documents that must be filed with the trial court include the fee, any applicable bond, a copy of the claim of appeal, and a certificate of the court reporter which states that a transcript is either not on record, or that it has been ordered. You will have to file additional documents with the appellate court, including the fee, a copy of applicable bond, proof of service, the original claim of appeal document, a copy of the judgment and trial court docket, a jurisdiction checklist, a docketing statement, and a statement from an attorney or certificate of a court reporter verifying that transcripts have either been ordered, or that there is no record for transcription.

For district court cases, you will file a claim of appeal with the circuit court. The Michigan Court of Appeals handles appellate cases from circuit court and probate court decisions. Contact Grabel & Associates now to determine how and where to file your appeal, and fight for a better result for you or your family member after a criminal conviction.

Our Approach to Michigan Criminal Appeal Cases

When someone you know is convicted of a crime, it may seem as if there is nothing else you can do to protect them from prison, fines, and a criminal record. Our experienced attorneys will do everything possible to help you in your appellate case, and we will utilize our extensive experience to assist you throughout your post-conviction case. Appeals are extremely difficult, and require the representation of a knowledgeable lawyer throughout the process. Our attorneys will thoroughly review the details of your case to determine any issues that could be grounds for appeal, and will write compelling briefs and persuasively argue your case in appellate court. Grabel & Associates is here to stand with you and help you or your loved one appeal a court decision in Michigan.

Contact Grabel & Associates immediately if you or someone you care about has been convicted of a criminal charge. We are available 24/7, toll free, at 1-800-342-7896 or you can contact us online now and can immediately begin working to help you in your time-sensitive appellate case. Don’t hesitate to contact an attorney, as you need to act fast to fight your court decision. Our Michigan criminal appeals firm is ready to begin working with you to fight for a better result.

If you are reading these reviews you are about to make a decision that will have a large impact on the rest of your life. I choose Grabel and Associates to represent me in my case and I could not have been more satisfied with the level of professionalism and dedication to their clients. I had the opportunity to meet and work with multiple lawyers in the practice all of which showcased a vast knowledge and understanding of the inner workings of the legal system. When you choose Scott Grabel to represent you will open yourself up to all of his resources. Depending on your case Grabel knows experts in all fields. I worked with polygraph examiners, investigators, and forensics experts. Grabel and Associates will defend without prejudice of innocence or guilt. Scott Grabel was able to lead me through every step of the process with great communication the whole way. I would recommend Scott Grabel and Associates to my friends, family and anyone who is in need of representation. B. A.

★★★★★

Best attorney in state of Michigan. Caring and a true friend. Scott was with us every step of the way. He fought for a great injustice for our son and was able to provide an outcome that gave his life back. L. A.

★★★★★

Scott and his firm did an awesome job representing a family member of mine, I would highly recommend him and his firm! They were extremely reliable, trustworthy and very informative and did a great job with the case. I couldn't be happier with the results that we received, I can't speak highly enough about the great job he did. If you are thinking about using his firm, I would highly recommend, I would definitely use his firm again if needed, he is an a great attorney with a great firm, you won't be disappointed! M. F.